Eldon, IA - Thelma LaRue Rupe, 100, of Eldon, IA passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa, IA. Funeral services honoring her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Eldon Christian Church with Pastor Dave Bowden officiating. Burial will be in the Fiedler Cemetery immediately following. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the church and will last until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Thelma's honor may be directed to the Eldon Senior Meals and mailed to P.O. Box 102, Eldon, IA 52554. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Thelma LaRue Rupe was born on August 26, 1925, to Ralph and Helen Johnston Sedore. She attended country school and graduated from Agency High School. She was united in marriage to Raymond Rupe on December 25, 1943, beginning a journey together that lasted over 70 years. Thelma became the loving mother of five daughters. She cherished her role as mother and farmwife helping with everything from driving the tractor to sewing clothes for the girls. The was no job that she wouldn't tackle. She served many years as a 4-H leader and was an active member of the Eldon Christian Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher for many years. Thelma had a servant's heart and would always lend a hand to care for someone in need.

When Thelma took time away from her work she could be found in the garden, tending to her beautiful flowers, and later in life, quilting. She shared her love for quilting with others through teaching quilting classes. She and Raymond enjoyed playing cards with friends and Thelma looked forward to her women's groups in the area like the Oakdale Club and Little Club. As time went on and her family grew, she relished every moment spent with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Thelma Rupe dedicated one hundred years to positively influencing her family and her community, leaving a lasting legacy that will not soon be forgotten.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Raymond Rupe (2015); a daughter, Virginia Whittom (2014); three siblings, LaVern Sedore, John Wayne Sedore, and Patricia Frieberg; four sons-in-law, Jim Slutts, Vance Solverson, Lynn Blank and Marvin Creech, and one great grandchild, Alex Prochaska.

Left to share her story are her daughters, Mary Ellen Creech, Janet (Cecil) Dale, Kathy Solverson, and Carla Blank; eleven grandchildren, Michael (Sage) Hemm, Matthew (Brandi) Creech, Teri (Eric) Klaren, Jennifer (Marty) Carlson, Roger (Colleen) Cassill, Stephanie (Chad) Prochaska, Holly (Allen) Adams, Samantha (Brian) Phillips, Nicholas (Amber) Millett, and Jayne (Greg) Redlinger; twenty-five great grandchildren, twenty-one great great grandchildren,a son-in-law, Don Whittom as well as many extended family and friends.